It's Lauren from Teacher Mom of 3 here today with a generous helping of Thanksgiving books you can use in your classroom. Whether you are looking for a new picture book, nonfiction selection, or poetry, I've got you covered.!
Click the pictures below each title to see the listing on Amazon, to take a peek inside the book, and to read a detailed summary and review. Most of these books are available at the local library and through Scholastic Book Clubs as well as on Amazon.
Ten Thanksgiving Books for Kids!
- Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne~Jack and Annie go back in time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. They even get to help prepare the feast!
- A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman~The townspeople of Squawk Valley need a turkey for Thanksgiving. They come up with a creative plan to lure a turkey into their town.
- Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas~Based on a true story, this story from American history tells the story of Squanto and the spiritual background of the first Thanksgiving.
- Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes~A sweet picture book perfect for toddlers up through first grade. Written in a simple and predictable text pattern with vibrant pictures and a message of how important family is.
- Balloons Over Broadway The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet~ A fascinating account of Tony Sarg, the inventor of the famous "upside down" puppets.
- Pete the Cat The First Thanksgiving by James Dean~Pete is starring in the school play about the first Thanksgiving! A "lift the flap" book, this cool story is sure to be a hit with preschoolers and older.
- How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting~ A beautiful story of a family who must flee their home on a Caribbean island and set sail for America. A Thanksgiving story for any time of the year!
- I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson~ No list of Thanksgiving books is complete without this classic story! Rhyme, repetition, and a humorous story of traditional holiday foods!
- T is For Turkey A True Thanksgiving Story by Tanya Lee Stone~An alphabet book done in rhyme that tells the Thanksgiving story. Preschool and kindergarten students will love it!
- 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving~ by Dave Pilkey~ Modeled after the classic Christmas story, this Thanksgiving story tells the story of how a group of children saved the turkeys. A great comparison to Natasha Wing's The Night Before Thanksgiving.
I have developed a sample-pack FREEBIE for you to use with your students as they interact with a text, respond to their reading, or for you to use as an assessment. These graphic organizers can be used whether you do a read-aloud or have students read the book independently or in small group. Click the picture below to download a few of my Thanksgiving themed reader response graphic organizers. They can be used with any fiction text!
May you enjoy the beauty of the season and may your blessings be too numerous to count!
